James McDaniel Mr. James Leon McDaniel, age 59 of Ranger, Ga., departed this life Monday morning, March 2, 2009 at Piedmont Healthcare in Jasper. James was born Feb. 22, 1950 in Gordon County, a son of the late James Lloyd and Annie Ruth Mulkey McDaniel. He was also preceded in death by a sister, Sally Sanford. James was a hard worker and loved his family. He proudly served his country in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War. Survivors include his son and daughter-in-law, James R. McDaniel and Dena Ledford, Chatsworth; daughters and son-in-law, Renee and Scottie Childers, Fairmount, and Jamie McDaniel, Ranger; brothers and sisters-in-law, Marvin and Linda McDaniel and Brian and Bonita McDaniel, all of Fairmount, Doug and Brenda McDaniel, Rydal, Danny McDaniel, Ranger, and Junior and Karen McDaniel, Calhoun; sisters and brothers-in-law, Deborah and Donald Mathews, Calhoun, Angela and Shane Kirby, Ranger, Retha Chastain and Janice Smith, both of Fairmount, and Margaret Bradley, Adairsville. Seven grandchildren and 23 nieces and nephews also survive. A service to celebrate the life of Mr. McDaniel was held Thursday, March 5 at 2 p.m. from Friendship Baptist Church in Ludville, Ga. with the Rev. Reggie Temples officiating. He was laid to rest in the church cemetery with Jason and Bradley McDaniel, Kyle Smith, Shane Kirby and Dustin and Cody Patterson serving as pallbearers. Ponders Funeral Home of Fairmount was in charge of arrangements.

Elbert Evans, Jr. Elbert (Bud) Evans, Jr., age 71 of Cleveland, Ga., passed away Friday, Feb. 27, 2009 at his residence following an extended illness. Mr. Evans was born Oct. 6, 1937 in Dawson Count, Ga. to the late Elbert Astor and Ethel V. Gee Evans. He lived in Cleveland and was a retired electrician. Mr. Evans was preceded in death by his daughter, Candy Evans; brother, Bill Evans; and sister, Janie Evans. Mr. Evans is survived by his wife, Velma Evans, Cleveland; daughters and son-in-law, Kathleen Workman, Clermont, Va., Ann Self, Cleveland, Joy Davis, Clermont, and Nancy and Gene Self, Murrayville; son and daughter-in-law, Danny and Lynn Evans, Cleveland; sisters, Evelyn Buchanan, Dorthy Heath, Linda Buchanan, Louise Evans, Judy Baker and Jean White; and brothers, Cotton, Bob, Tom and Tadpole Evans. Fourteen grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren also survive. The funeral service was held Monday, March 2 at 2 p.m. from the Chapel of Memorial Park Funeral Home with interment in Memorial Park Cemetery. The Revs. Harold Evans and Charlie Buchanan officiated.

Leoma Young Mrs. Leoma Hambrick Young, age 80 of Fairmount, Ga., passed away Thursday, March 5, 2009 in Cartersville Medical Center following an extended illness. Leoma was born in Pickens County on May 20, 1928, the daughter of the late Jim and Ollie Hales Shephard Hambrick. She was also preceded in death by her husband, Ellis Doyle Young; son, Randall Young; and brothers, James and Henry Hambrick. Survivors include her daughters and sons-in-law, Marcella and Billy Hawsell and Hazel Gravley and her late husband, Walter Gravley, all of Fairmount, Carolyn and Jackie Parker, Calhoun, and Suelane and James Reed, Rydal; and sons and daughters-in-law, M.C. and Connie Young, E.J. and Phylis Young, Qullian and Penny Young and Tracy Young and his late wife, Rhonda, all of Fairmount; brother, Sammy Shephard, Fairmount. Grandchildren, great-grandchildren, great-great-grandchildren, great-great-great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews and other relatives also survive. The funeral service was held Sunday at 3 p.m. from Friendship Baptist Church in Pickens County with the Rev. Eddie Brannon officiating. Music was arranged by Travelers by Faith signers. Interment followed in the church cemetery. Pallbearers were: Joey Payne, Brent and Sonny Parker, Kim and Tim Redd, Billy and Brandon Bradshaw, Russell, Redd and Raymond Hall and Keith, Eric, Steve and M.C. ?Jourin? Young. www.maxbrannonandsons. com

Billy Dutton Billy Dutton, age 37 of Mountain City, Tn., passed away due to injuries sustained in an auto accident on Wednesday, March 4, 2009. Billy was born in Calhoun, Ga. on June 2, 1971 to the late Grady Dewey and Martha Ann Johns Dutton. Survivors include his daughters, Amanda Dutton, Adairsville, Ashley Dutton McCarroll, Douglas, Brittney Dutton, Calhoun, and Brittany Grogan, Tampa, Fl.; sisters, Ann Knight, Jasper, Nellie Coe, White Top, Va., Debrah Cordell, Resaca, and Donna Dutton, Mountain City; and fiance, Tina Lynn Woods, Georgia. Several nieces, nephews, aunts and uncles also survive. The funeral service was held Sunday, March 8 at 2 p.m. from the Chapel of Max Brannon Funeral Home with Bro. Tim Reddin officiating. Interment followed in Damascus Baptist Church Cemetery. www.maxbrannonandsons. com

Loree Hinton Loree M. Hinton passed away on March 6, 2009. Mrs. Hinton was born Oct. 10, 1926 to the late Grover and Flora McKinney. She is survived by her husband, William K. Hinton; three sons, William, Mark and Dan Hinton; and brothers, Hoyt and James McKinney. A private service was held Monday, March 9 from Griffin Leggett Funeral Home. www.griffinleggettconway. com

James Howell Mr. James Monroe Howell, age 80 of Jasper,Ga., died Monday, March 2, 2009 at Delmar Gardens in Smyrna, Ga. following a period of declining health. Born April 14, 1928 in Pickens County, Ga., he was the son of the late Arnold and Vada Roper Howell and was also preceded in death by his wife, Emma Lou Cox Howell. Mr. Howell had worked as a carrier for the US Postal Service. He was a member and deacon of Liberty Baptist Church in Cherokee County. Survivors include his sons and daughters-in-law, Terry and Beverly Howell, Smyrna, and Gary and Tracy Howell, Tampa Fl.; grandchildren, Julie Noles, Sugar Hill, Jeff Howell, Atlanta, Justin Howell, Miami Beach, Fl., Laura Howell, Beaufort, S.C., Sarah Howell, Charleston, S.C., and Meleah Howell, Tampa, Fl.; and niece, Elnora Reece, Canton. Other relatives also survive. The funeral service was held at 2 p.m. Friday, March 6 from Roper Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Gene Childers and Dr.Charlie Boggan officiating. Interment followed in Cherokee Memorial Park Cemetery in Canton. Pallbearers were: Jeff and Justin Howell, Chris Noles, Jeff Jones, Jimmy Fann and Rayson Beckner. www.roperfuneralhome.com

Lois Crowe Mrs. Lois Sue Crowe, age 72 of Ball Ground, Ga., passed away Friday, March 6, 2009 at her residence. Mrs. Crowe was born in Pickens County to Rich and Edna Goss. Sue attended Nelson Elementary School, Tate High School and technical schools in Marietta and Atlanta. She retired after 25 years as a civil service employee in the accounting department with the US Navy. She is preceded in death by her mother, father and three brothers. Survivors include her husband, Bill Crowe, Ball Ground; son and daughter-in-law, Barry and Suzie Crowe, Acworth; daughter and son-in-law, Renee and Charles Bowers, Canton; brother, Kenneth Goss, Woodstock; and sisters, Denise Williams, Ball Ground, Dianne Mitchell, Woodstock, and Brenda Reece, Holly Springs. Four grandchildren and one great-grandchild also survives. The funeral service was held Monday, March 9 at 1 p.m. from the Chapel of Cagle Funeral Home with the Revs. Billy Edmondson and Harace Smithwick officiating. Interment followed in Bethesda Baptist Church Cemetery. Pallbearers were: Danny Crowe, Wes Morris, Andrew Turner, Chris Carlile and Matt and Mark Williams. www.caglefuneralhome.com

Ozella McAfee Mrs. Ozella McAfee, age 87 of Jasper, passed away Thursday, March 6, 2009 at Heritage Health Care in Jasper. Survivors include her son and daughter-in-law, Richard and Maxine McAfee, Ranger; sister, Dorothy Medlin, Mississippi; step-brother, E.C. Owen, Ringgold; and step-sister, Parris Holt, Jasper. Six grandchildren and four great-grandchildren also survive. The funeral service was held at 2 p.m. Sunday, March 8 from the Chapel of Cagle Funeral Home with Terry Burrus officiating. Interment followed in Liberty Baptist Church Cemetery in Ranger. Pallbearers were: Ronnie Reece, Rodney Kelley, Chuck and Curtis Robinson, Danny Clark, Jim Falls and Perry Dixon. www.caglefuneralhome.com

Eugene Cochran Mr. Eugene Cochran, age 62 of Nelson, passed away Thursday, March 5, 2009 at Woodstock Nursing Rehabilitation. Survivors include brothers and sisters-in-law, J.M. and Shirley Cochran, Buford, and Fred and Betty Cochran, Flowery Branch; sisters and brother-in-law, Bertha and Wayne Long, Nelson, Ga., Beatrice Free, Pendergrass, Ga., Lola Drummond, Midville, Ga., and Ruby Meadows, Clayton, Ga.; and special niece, Sandra Hansen. Other nieces and nephews also survive. The funeral service was held at 2 p.m. Saturday, March 7 from Arbor Hills Baptist Church in Pickens County with the Revs. Jimmy Chester, Greg Long, Wayne Long and Mike Byess officiating. Interment followed in the church cemetery. Pallbearers were: Dennis Free, David Cochran, Cole and Bruce Hansen, Andrew Long and Ricky and Lee Faucett. www.caglefuneralhome.com